Healing and Relaxation Photo Image Database Declaration
Today in Japan, the availability of information and measures regarding cancer has developed into a social issue. One in two Japanese are affected by cancer during their lifetime, and one in three unfortunately die of this disease. On the other hand, advancements in medical science have enabled many cancer patients to live long lives, but in fear of recurrence or the onset of another cancer. These fears are also shared among patients’ families and colleagues.
Against this social backdrop, in June 2006, the Basic Law for Anti-Cancer Measures was adopted as a member bill, supported by both the ruling and opposition parties, and was implemented on April 1, 2007. This law stipulates that the national and local governments are to take the necessary measures to develop a framework for the collection and provision of information of cancer-related healthcare, as well as to take the necessary measures to promote counseling and support for cancer patients and their families. Furthermore, it clearly states that measures required for the maintenance and improvement of the quality of life of patients in recuperation must be adopted. Japan’s “Third Comprehensive Cancer Strategy” also states the necessity of improved quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients, etc., the promotion of palliative medicine aimed at the amelioration of patients’ suffering, and mental support for terminal cancer patients. The provision of information supportive of patients and their families’ lives and the development of networks seeking better quality of life for patients and their families are indispensable. There is a diversity of ongoing efforts in relation to the development of these networks; we would like to have a hand in network-building by providing images for healing and relaxation,
Life Review is a method of treating sick people by bringing peace to their minds and healing their souls. This method involves retracing one’s life from one’s infancy, through his childhood, adolescence and adulthood to date and has been studied in Europe, the United States and in Japan from the 1980’s. Its purpose is to engage the patient in reminiscence about his life in perspective with his healer so that he may obtain an overview of his life and thus enhance his self-integration. When the healer listens to and accompanies his patient as he goes down memory lane, discussion of pictures of his infancy, pictures of happy memories taken with his parents and family and pictures with close friends, including those taken on school excursions, increases the effect of the treatment. It helps to recall memories and events in society from past days. This process alleviates mental and physical pain and all types of distress and worries. People travel through life embracing changing emotions, diverse personal memories and different primal landscapes. The Healing and Relaxation Photo Image Database has provided a variety of still images, video clips and images accompanied by music on the Internet so that we may be able to support everyone’s “Life Review” in some way. We seek to upload more images and to improve our quality.
With these developments as a backdrop, this year, marking the implementation of the Basic Law of Anti-Cancer Measures, we declare that we will continue our work in further establishing the Healing and Relaxation Photo Image Database with the purpose of contributing to the improvement of the QOL of cancer patients, their families and medical professionals. We hope to collaborate with various volunteer organizations and other organizations sharing the same mission in widely contributing to enhanced public benefits. Then, with not only domestic but also worldwide support, we seek to build a Healing and Relaxation Photo Image Database in the near future that can serve the world.